The discussion seemed like yesterday but one month had passed since then and Hermione was overwhelmed with the numerous pieces of work Professors were asking her to do. She didn't even help out with Herbology, but suddenly here she was researching a plant that Professor Sprout was interested in. Then, of course, Hagrid was in the forbidden forest last week and found some creature no one could identify she has been researching that. To top that off the closer to exams the more students came to her and was as if all the professors gang up suddenly and decide all their tests are going to be in the same week because she knew for a fact 10-15 students were attending every night just for study help. At least the ones that did come semi tried in class, and a lot of them came to study with each other than asked her a question if they couldn't figure it out.
The weekend that followed she was continually trying to figure out what Hagrid's creature was. Everyone in the school was buzzing at guesses including Severus who guessed it to be a rare Lornalif that only breeds every 27 years and only if it happens to be the perfect 67 degrees for mating in June. Hermione looked into it, and she had to admit it was the closest thing she could come up with, but she knew by all her readings that it wasn't quite it. When she got frustrated, she would relax drinking tea with Severus or talking about the upcoming Christmas Holiday only a month away. After staying up almost 22 hours she found it she had seen the creature in an old textbook from 1894, it was a Forelium- a Type of magical dog/wolf hybrid that looked like a miniature green and blue bear when born. The book says it will take many shapes before finally looking like an orange wolf. It is described as being very friendly with anything that possess magic but very frightened or aggressive to non-magical things. The book says he would be fantastic in the home of a small or large family and friendly with other magical pets. Hermione was relieved it wasn't a killer and rejoiced by waking Hagrid up at 3 am to tell him the news.
Hermione got to sleep that night but was up bright and early to see if the ever-growing beanpole would try to kill off any plants. Sunday morning came with more work, and Severus ask her to take a break several times, but like himself, Hermione wouldn't sleep until she knew the answer. Of course, it wasn't as simple as she thought. She cross-referenced some books, and none of them said the same thing about the ever-growing bean pole. Some books said it could be safely planted with non-vine growing plants other says it was safe altogether. Other books say you need your greenhouse for just one plant. After a long Sunday with little food other than toast, Severus demanded she ate. Hermione finally found what she felt was the most common answer. The ever-growing beanpole should be planted in the fall when it grows slowly and only plant bushes around it.
Sunday night Hermione shared the results at the head table with Professor Sprout who was very excited to hear the news. Severus watched as she smiled at Professor Sprout and they both seemed genuinely happy about the research. Severus loved how she could get happy over big things and small things all the same. He wished he could be as happy as her, not to say he wasn't pleased this was the best he had felt in a very long. In class, he still had days where he took 50 house points away and want to take his wand and fling a student at the wall. He could say he was much more relaxed now. He knew the students noticed and he had to say class had been much more enjoyable especially when Hermione was assisting. She had a way with the students even the worst ones at potions she had a way of explaining things in a way that made sense that he never could.
That night Severus went to Hermione's room. They still had yet to announce their relationship both unsure how to handle it, but neither of them hid while going to each other rooms. When they went to bed that night Hermione cuddled up to Severus and went straight to sleep.
The next day went fast, Hermione went down to the potions room and instantly wrapped her arms around Severus. She didn't know how she was going to tutor potions she was about to fall asleep in his arms. The next thing she knew Severus was laying her down on the couch, and she couldn't even say no.
Severus looked at the time it was 10 til 5 and Hermione was out. Severus sighed and decided that he would tutor tonight, after all, it was potions and he was curious how many people showed up to it. Severus lightly closed the door and made his way to the tutoring. Severus arrived to a group of 12 students and a few more trickled in after he started. "I'm sorry Miss Granger is not going to be here to assist today, she is helping with other needed tasks. If you have any questions I'm here to answer them."
The students questioned what was happening, and they were whispering. Severus bit his tongue but continued as some of them sat down to do work immediately and others came up to ask questions right away.
Severus was surprised by the attitudes of the children who came to the tutoring many trying to work together to figure out answers to the question while others were sharing their thoughts about some opinion questions he asks. When he got done 1 hour later, he found Hermione still in the exact same spot asleep on his office couch. He picked her up not wanting to wake her and decided to take her to her rooms since they were technically closer than his. He was hoping no one would see them, after all, he would be taking the back hallway and only a few staff would be roaming the halls, and they would most likely be where the students are. So quickly and quietly he made his way back with Hermione who halfway through the walk back woke up and insisted that she could walk the rest way and demanded to know every detail of the tutoring.
Severus would not indulge her with every little detail, but she was too tired to care Severus changed as did Hermione and even though it was only about 8:30 both were excited to go to bed.